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Kolkata welcomes the Goddess of wealth today

Kolkata, Oct 18 IBNS | 2 years ago

Even as a mood of gloominess prevailed in the air with the end of the grand festival of the Bengali community-the Durga Puja- people of Kolkata and the rest of West Bengal once again geared up to taste the flavour of festivity by welcoming the Goddess of wealth, Ma Lakshmi, with customary rituals on Friday.

Though most of India worships Goddess Lakshmi during the day of Diwali, the festival of lights. In Bengal, it is observed on the first full moon night following the Durga Puja.

Being much smaller in scale than the magnanimous feats that Durga Pujas turn out to be here, Lakshmi Puja is performed in innumerable Hindu families.

The puja is carried out ceremoniously at home, often collectively among neighbours and relatives.

Usually done in the evening, the rites for the occasion are often performed by hired priests or sometimes even by the housewives themselves.

Homes are decorated with floor patterns made of ground rice and water known as alpanas or rangolis and 'S'-shaped footprints are made to symbolize the goddesses visit to replenish the wealth and prosperity of the homes.

People prefer vegetarian food on this day with 'Khichdi' preparation topping the menu.

Actor Parambrata Chatterjee tweeted: "Shubho Laxmi Puja! Shobar jibone shomriddhi aashuk (May all live in prosperity)... Let the number of people going without food decrease!"